Category: Apartment Living
Princeton’s DIY Wednesdays Presents Herb Garden Greenhouses!
Eager to start your spring planting? It’s still a bit cold outside, but you can start a greenhouse right in your kitchen! Check out the video below to learn how…
Princeton’s DIY Wednesdays Presents Mason Jar Tissue Holders!
Need to add a little personal touch to your bathroom decor? Check out this neat and easy DIY!
5 Benefits of Opening Your Windows
We’ve had some warm “spring-like” days in New England recently and it has us all hopeful that spring is around the corner! One of our favorite things about this season is opening the windows and doors in our homes for the first time since autumn. Besides the pure excitement of a new season, there are actually some real benefits of opening those windows when the weather is nice. Keep reading to find out.
1. Bringing in fresh air. It’s good for us, our children and our pets too!
2. Allowing sunlight in. For some of us opening the windows is also an opportunity to open the curtains and blinds as well. Sunlight is a great mood-booster and source of vitamin D.
3. Great way to circulate air. There’s no need for fans or air conditioners when you have fresh air blowing through your house.
4. Saving energy. If you’re no longer turning on you’re A/C and fans as previously mentioned then you are using less electricity and energy.
5. Letting pollutants in the air escape. If you’ve just painted or cleaned your kitchen floors, it’s a great time to open those windows to let any potentially toxic fumes escape.
Tips for Cleaning Your Dishwasher
It doesn’t take long for soap scum, leftover food and other debris to build up on the inside of your dishwasher. Chances are it doesn’t get cleaned as often as it should. Next time you’re cleaning your apartment or house make sure to add the dishwasher to your “to do” list and follow these tips.
1. Mark it on your calendar to clean your dishwasher once a month.
2. Check the drain first to make sure there is no food caught which would hurt your dishwasher’s cleaning efficiency.
3. Put white vinegar in a dishwasher safe cup and put it on the top rack. Run the dishwasher with a hot water cycle with the vinegar cup inside.
4. When the cycle is done, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run another quick hot water cycle. This will remove any discoloration.
5. Check the edges of the dishwasher where the door closes. Use a sponge to clean up any additional gunk or grime that remains.
10 Homemade Valentine Gift Ideas
You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your Valentine. Instead, try making something yourself! A DIY gift is guaranteed to be cherished much more than the typical flowers and chocolates! Try one of these great ideas this Sunday.
1. Make your own photo scrapbook or album
2. Bake a batch of heart-shaped cookies
3. Make a mix CD or playlist
4. Knit a blanket or a scarf to keep them warm
5. Cook a delicious 3 course meal
6. Serve your Valentine breakfast in bed
7. Write a poem
8. Draw a picture (this one is perfect for the kids to give mom or dad)
9. Make a homemade coupon book for your valentine to redeem house chores
10. Write a list of 100 reasons why they’re you’re Valentine
5 DIY Projects That Use Chalkboard Paint
Ever find yourself in the mood to do a DIY project but not sure where to start? Buying a can of chalkboard paint is a great step because there are so many things you can do with it at home! Keep reading to find five DIY projects that can be done with chalkboard paint.
1. Paint the base of a set of wine glasses with chalkboard paint. Your guests can write their names in chalk so they don’t mix up their glasses.
2. Put chalkboard paint on one side of a couple of coffee mugs. Write a good morning message to your family or friends when you serve them a fresh cup.
3. Paint the inside of one of your cabinets to turn it into a hidden chalkboard. Write down important recipes or cooking measurements you don’t want to forget.
4. Use the chalkboard paint to have an instant chalkboard wall on any wall in your house. This is especially fun in children’s bedrooms or playrooms.
5. Paint the top of a wooden coffee table so the kids can draw chalk art right in the living room.
10 Steps to Take to Prepare for a Winter Storm
It looks like we have a winter storm heading our way this upcoming weekend! Whenever the forecast calls for snow, it seems people rush to the grocery store to stock up on bread, milk and bottled water. Keep reading to see what we recommend you do to prepare for our first big winter storm.
1. Check heating system to make sure that it is working.
2. Check batteries in smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.
3. Have plenty of drinking water on hand.
4. Make sure you know how to turn water off in the event pipes freeze.
5. Charge your cell phone so the battery is full. Especially if you don’t have a landline.
6. Have salt, sand and a shovel on hand.
7. Collect warm coats and blankets and make sure they are in an easily accessible place.
8. Have a working flashlight ready with extra batteries.
9. Stock up on food that does not need to be heated in case of power outage.
10. Make sure all windows, doors and sliders are closing properly to avoid extra cold air getting inside.
10 Indoor Activities to Get You Through the Winter
When the temperatures get low it’s hard to get motivated to brave the cold to spend your spare time. Rather than bundling up to shop or go out to dinner or the movies, try some of these activities this winter!
1. Host a game night at home.
2. Have friends over and setup a hot chocolate bar.
3. Have a Netflix or movie marathon (complete with a cozy blanket and slippers.)
4. Read that book you haven’t had the time to pick up.
5. Host an at home wine tasting.
6. Try some of those Pinterest craft projects you’ve pinned
7. While you’re at it, try cooking some of those recipes too.
8. Have lots of photographs on your phone? Use a printing app to get them printed and arrange them in photo albums.
9. Update your playlists on iTunes and download some new music.
10. When all else fails….do some research on booking a tropical vacation!
5 Ways to Start the New Year off Fresh
2016 is here and it’s a clean slate! Don’t fill it up with any of the clutter from 2015 by following these steps. You’ll be off to a new, fresh year in no time.
1. Take down and organize your holiday decorations in a timely fashion. Don’t wait until February to realize you don’t have the storage space or a place to toss your Christmas tree. Store items in neat, labeled bins. You’ll thank yourself when the holidays roll around again.
2. Start marking important dates, events and appointments on your new 2016 calendar or planner. Always wanted to try yoga? Make time for it this year by scheduling some classes. Don’t forget to also schedule time to relax too!
3. Clean up your work space. Going back to work after the holidays is tough and it’s even tougher if you’re going back to a messy desk with “to-dos” from last year. Organize and make deadlines for yourself to stay on track with projects. Don’t forget to clean up your e-mail while you’re at it!
4. Write any thank you cards that you need to send from the holidays before you forget. Your friends and family will love receiving a hand-written note.
5. Clean out your closet. If you didn’t wear it in 2015 chances are you won’t wear it in 2016. Donate your clothes to a location drop off center. Your closet will be clean and ready for a brand new year.
How to Prepare Your Home for House Guests
With the holidays quickly approaching it means we’ll be welcoming family and friends into our homes for parties and events. Eliminate the stress of last minute cleaning and preparation by getting ready for houseguests early!
1. Clean spare bedrooms or sleeping areas for overnight guests now. Wash bedding and vacuum carpets/floors.
2. Tidy up your entryway. Put away any items that are cluttering the area and leave plenty of room for guests to put their shoes and store their winter coats.
3. Refresh your bathrooms by refilling all toiletries. Wash the floors and clean all surfaces of the bathroom.
4. Guests never show up empty handed. Clear some space in your refrigerator and throw out old items. You’ll want plenty of room to store extra food and leftovers.
5. Check the exterior. Make sure your walkways are cleaned up and clear. Also check your exterior lights and make sure none of the bulbs are burnt out.
6. Stock up on breakfast items. You’ll want to offer coffee and juice to your guests first thing in the morning. Make sure you have all of the essentials so you aren’t running out to the store bright and early.